Hello friends! I am so beyond-excited for today’s spotlight as it’s a deviation from our regular format. An amazing woman named Molly contacted me a couple weeks ago and told me about a little boy named Raphael who is an orphan in Eastern Europe and who has Down Syndrome. Molly is involved with Reece’s Rainbow, an international special needs adoption ministry. Each year during the Holidays they have a program called the Angel Tree, where people (like Molly) choose a child and try to help them find their forever family and also raise $1,000 to go toward their adoption. Molly has done this for the past 4 years and has actually helped 3 of those 4 children find their families! How amazing is that? That is what changing the world looks like people. (side note: Molly is one of my new hero’s). So when Molly asked me if I’d like to help her spread the word by featuring Raphael, the boy she’s sponsoring this year, I jumped at the chance. If my little blog could possibly be a part of finding this beautiful boy a home I would count that as my most important accomplishment to date, next to mothering my own children of course. I am so grateful to my fellow special needs moms and bloggers Reagan and Kelle for linking to this post and spreading the word–so if you’re visiting from either of those blobs/blogs welcome! Take a look around and make yourself at home. Without futher ado let’s meet Molly and Raphael.
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Miggy: Hi Molly! I have to say I’m super-duper
excited about this weeks special needs spotlight and about the fact that my
little blog could have anything to do with finding this beautiful boy a home.
I am thrilled, excited and humbled all at once. First could you
tell us a little about Reece’s Rainbow and how you came to be associated with them?
excited about this weeks special needs spotlight and about the fact that my
little blog could have anything to do with finding this beautiful boy a home.
I am thrilled, excited and humbled all at once. First could you
tell us a little about Reece’s Rainbow and how you came to be associated with them?
Molly: I am SO excited to share about Reece’sRainbow with all of the awesome people who read here,
and I’ve loved following the special needs spotlights each week! Reece’s
Rainbow is an organization that advocates for international adoptions of kids
with Down syndrome and other special needs. What most people don’t realize is
that kids with special needs who live in Eastern Europe and other places don’t
have any of the same rights that our kids have here. They are often given up at
birth because they have Down syndrome, limb differences, HIV, spina bifida, or
any host of things that might make them a bit different. Unfortunately, these
kids are placed in orphanages until they are 4 or 5 and then transferred to
mental institutions where they are warehoused. Many children get no attention,
no physical contact, no love. Their lives are drastically shortened because
they don’t receive good care, therapy, an education, or any real opportunities
to succeed. They’re just sort of locked away. Some never leave their cribs. It’s devastating. (Please don’t stop reading, I promise this has a happy ending
and ways you can help!)
and I’ve loved following the special needs spotlights each week! Reece’s
Rainbow is an organization that advocates for international adoptions of kids
with Down syndrome and other special needs. What most people don’t realize is
that kids with special needs who live in Eastern Europe and other places don’t
have any of the same rights that our kids have here. They are often given up at
birth because they have Down syndrome, limb differences, HIV, spina bifida, or
any host of things that might make them a bit different. Unfortunately, these
kids are placed in orphanages until they are 4 or 5 and then transferred to
mental institutions where they are warehoused. Many children get no attention,
no physical contact, no love. Their lives are drastically shortened because
they don’t receive good care, therapy, an education, or any real opportunities
to succeed. They’re just sort of locked away. Some never leave their cribs. It’s devastating. (Please don’t stop reading, I promise this has a happy ending
and ways you can help!)
I
got involved in Reece’s Rainbow because I worked at a summer camp for kids with
special needs while I was in college. We had one little boy who was adopted
from Russia, and I started wondering what happened to kids like my campers in
other countries. A quick google search brought me to Reece’s Rainbow, and once
I saw the conditions these kids faced, I was all in! I couldn’t imagine any of
the kids I work with living in a crib their whole lives, never getting to do
any of the things that make them so happy, and never being able to influence
the lives of those they meet.
got involved in Reece’s Rainbow because I worked at a summer camp for kids with
special needs while I was in college. We had one little boy who was adopted
from Russia, and I started wondering what happened to kids like my campers in
other countries. A quick google search brought me to Reece’s Rainbow, and once
I saw the conditions these kids faced, I was all in! I couldn’t imagine any of
the kids I work with living in a crib their whole lives, never getting to do
any of the things that make them so happy, and never being able to influence
the lives of those they meet.
Miggy: At what point did you start blogging about
adoption and special needs kids–how and why did this become so important to
you?
adoption and special needs kids–how and why did this become so important to
you?
Molly: In November of 2009, Reece’s Rainbow got word
that a five-year-old boy named Aaron, with arthrogryposis, had been transferred
to a mental institution in a remote part of Ukraine. I had just learned about
the conditions of mental institutions the week before, and when I saw “Help! I
have been transferred!” under his picture, I burst into tears. Here he was,
this beautiful blue eyed boy, with a giant grin on his face and LIFE in his
eyes. He was being sentenced to life in an institution because his arms and
legs don’t bend all the way. I knew that if he stayed in an institution for too
long, that life would slowly leave his eyes, and that smile would fade. I just
couldn’t get his face out of my head! I was a senior in college, too young to
adopt, so I started using social media (my blog
is: www.nobabynoblog.blogspot.com) in the hopes that Aaron’s mom would find him!
I asked for donations to his grant fund (Reece’s Rainbow creates a grant for
each child listed so that the money can go towards helping pay for their
adoption) for Christmas and Hanukkah, and I basically begged my friends and
family to spread the word. Shortly after New Year’s, Aaron’s family found him! He came home in 2010 to live in Virginia with his mama, papa, and two big
brothers. I’ve seen him twice since he has come home, and I marvel at all the
things he can do and how much he delights in the world around him. He swam in
his first swim meet this past summer, and his mother said there wasn’t a dry
eye in the house! To know that I had a small part in helping change the life of
this little boy will make me happy forever.
that a five-year-old boy named Aaron, with arthrogryposis, had been transferred
to a mental institution in a remote part of Ukraine. I had just learned about
the conditions of mental institutions the week before, and when I saw “Help! I
have been transferred!” under his picture, I burst into tears. Here he was,
this beautiful blue eyed boy, with a giant grin on his face and LIFE in his
eyes. He was being sentenced to life in an institution because his arms and
legs don’t bend all the way. I knew that if he stayed in an institution for too
long, that life would slowly leave his eyes, and that smile would fade. I just
couldn’t get his face out of my head! I was a senior in college, too young to
adopt, so I started using social media (my blog
is: www.nobabynoblog.blogspot.com) in the hopes that Aaron’s mom would find him!
I asked for donations to his grant fund (Reece’s Rainbow creates a grant for
each child listed so that the money can go towards helping pay for their
adoption) for Christmas and Hanukkah, and I basically begged my friends and
family to spread the word. Shortly after New Year’s, Aaron’s family found him! He came home in 2010 to live in Virginia with his mama, papa, and two big
brothers. I’ve seen him twice since he has come home, and I marvel at all the
things he can do and how much he delights in the world around him. He swam in
his first swim meet this past summer, and his mother said there wasn’t a dry
eye in the house! To know that I had a small part in helping change the life of
this little boy will make me happy forever.
The first photo Molly ever saw of Aaron. Molly and Aaron reunited this past summer.
Miggy: OK, now tell us a little about the Angel Tree
program. What is it and how have you been involved in the past? Do
you have any success stories to share?
program. What is it and how have you been involved in the past? Do
you have any success stories to share?
Molly: The Angel Tree is a fundraiser for our
waiting children with Down syndrome where for a donation of at least $35 to any
child on the tree, you get an ornament for your Christmas tree (or anywhere
else you want to put it!) with their picture on it. This year, we even got to
add some kids with HIV or other special needs to the tree! People can sign up
to be an Angel Tree Warrior for a specific child, which means that they try to
raise $1,000 and spread the word in the hopes that their child will find his or
her family, so that is what I am doing for a little boy named Raphael!
waiting children with Down syndrome where for a donation of at least $35 to any
child on the tree, you get an ornament for your Christmas tree (or anywhere
else you want to put it!) with their picture on it. This year, we even got to
add some kids with HIV or other special needs to the tree! People can sign up
to be an Angel Tree Warrior for a specific child, which means that they try to
raise $1,000 and spread the word in the hopes that their child will find his or
her family, so that is what I am doing for a little boy named Raphael!
As
for success stories: this is my fourth year as an angel tree warrior and three
out of my four warrior kiddos are home with their families!! Overall, Reece’sRainbow has helped over 850 children come home to their forever families in the
past six years! We’ve had a few Reece’s Rainbow reunions and it’s amazing to
see all of these kids running and playing together.
for success stories: this is my fourth year as an angel tree warrior and three
out of my four warrior kiddos are home with their families!! Overall, Reece’sRainbow has helped over 850 children come home to their forever families in the
past six years! We’ve had a few Reece’s Rainbow reunions and it’s amazing to
see all of these kids running and playing together.
Raphael
Miggy: This year you’ve chosen to sponsor Raphael.
He is simply beautiful. My heart
melts for his innate preciousness and aches for him to have a family at the
same time. Please tell us about Raphael.
He is simply beautiful. My heart
melts for his innate preciousness and aches for him to have a family at the
same time. Please tell us about Raphael.
Molly: Isn’t he just the cutest? I don’t know much
about him other than the information that Reece’s Rainbow has, but I do know
that he is 3 ½ years old and he has Down syndrome. Based on the pictures we
have, Raphael can stand on his own, and he likes to play! I know that he is in an orphanage in Eastern
Europe, but is in danger of being transferred to a mental institution soon. That’s what breaks my heart. Raphael has big brown eyes, an impish grin, and
cheeks that were made for kisses from a mama. He deserves love.
about him other than the information that Reece’s Rainbow has, but I do know
that he is 3 ½ years old and he has Down syndrome. Based on the pictures we
have, Raphael can stand on his own, and he likes to play! I know that he is in an orphanage in Eastern
Europe, but is in danger of being transferred to a mental institution soon. That’s what breaks my heart. Raphael has big brown eyes, an impish grin, and
cheeks that were made for kisses from a mama. He deserves love.
Miggy: If there is a family out there who is reading
this and who is interested in finding out more information on Raphael and
adoption who should they contact and how?
this and who is interested in finding out more information on Raphael and
adoption who should they contact and how?
Molly: Check out the Reece’s Rainbow website! There is information
for new families, adoption requirements, and an FAQ tab on the website that
says “How To Adopt.” Interested families can also email Andrea@reecesrainbow.org. We even have a few
kids who have grants to cover their entire adoption, all they need is a family!
for new families, adoption requirements, and an FAQ tab on the website that
says “How To Adopt.” Interested families can also email Andrea@reecesrainbow.org. We even have a few
kids who have grants to cover their entire adoption, all they need is a family!
Miggy: For my readers who are not interested in
adoption but still want to help Raphael or other special needs children
awaiting adoption, what can they do?
adoption but still want to help Raphael or other special needs children
awaiting adoption, what can they do?
Molly: There are a ton of things people can do to
help orphans with special needs. It seems like there are so many orphans in the
world that it is impossible to help them all, but Reece’s Rainbow makes it easy
to make a difference for one child or one family. The biggest two are donating
money and spreading the word. International
adoption is expensive, and can be between $20,000- $30,000 to bring a child
home. Reece’s Rainbow has grants set up for individual children who are waiting
to be adopted, as well as families who are bringing a child home. The best
thing to do is to share the stories of the kids who are in need of families. The more people hear what the conditions of the institutions are like, the more
they can put a face to the plight, the more likely kids are to get adopted! Raphael’s grant fund can be found here and you can view all
the children on the angel tree here.
help orphans with special needs. It seems like there are so many orphans in the
world that it is impossible to help them all, but Reece’s Rainbow makes it easy
to make a difference for one child or one family. The biggest two are donating
money and spreading the word. International
adoption is expensive, and can be between $20,000- $30,000 to bring a child
home. Reece’s Rainbow has grants set up for individual children who are waiting
to be adopted, as well as families who are bringing a child home. The best
thing to do is to share the stories of the kids who are in need of families. The more people hear what the conditions of the institutions are like, the more
they can put a face to the plight, the more likely kids are to get adopted! Raphael’s grant fund can be found here and you can view all
the children on the angel tree here.
Miggy: Is there anything else you’d like to share
about Raphael, adoption, or Reece’s Rainbow?
about Raphael, adoption, or Reece’s Rainbow?
Molly: These children have no voice where they are. They desperately need us to be their voice, because we understand the potential
of children with special needs. They deserve a chance, just like our kids get
here! The best feeling in the world is
holding a child who used to be an orphan, and seeing how far they have come. I’ve gotten to snuggle many former orphans and
it never gets old! Thank you SO much for
allowing me to share Raphael and Reece’s Rainbow with your fantastic readers! My dream is that one day you can do a SNS on
the family that adopts Raphael!
of children with special needs. They deserve a chance, just like our kids get
here! The best feeling in the world is
holding a child who used to be an orphan, and seeing how far they have come. I’ve gotten to snuggle many former orphans and
it never gets old! Thank you SO much for
allowing me to share Raphael and Reece’s Rainbow with your fantastic readers! My dream is that one day you can do a SNS on
the family that adopts Raphael!
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Me too Molly, me too! I can’t wait for that spotlight. My heart is filled with love for these precious children and my heart is filled with love and gratitude for people like Molly. From now on, I’m going to refer to her as Saint Molly.
Saint Molly, I am in awe of you and your example. Thank you for using your life for good.
You know what I love? I love knowing that there is a little boy somewhere in Eastern Europe who has no idea how many people are reading about him, thinking about him and pulling for him right at this very moment. Go Raphael! If there is one thing I know it’s this–every life is precious and every life has purpose. We can easily raise $1,000 for Raphael right? To donate money to Raphel’s Angel Tree fund go here. (I just made my donation! Right now his Angel Tree donation is at $162.00–let’s get that number climbing!) If you can, please donate to help our spotlightee Raphael! And even more important if you or someone you know is interested in adopting a child with special needs, even Raphael, please contact Reece’s Rainbow for more information or email Andrea@reecesrainbow.org.
To learn more about Molly and the work she’s doing check out her blog No Baby, No Blog.
As always if you or someone you know would like to be a part of the special needs spotlight series please email me at thislittlemiggy at gmail dot com.
Have a great weekend!
Thank you!!!! You are the besttttt! I'm no Saint, just someone with a big heart who wants to see a little boy find his mama. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!
Whatever. You're still Saint Molly to me.
And I hope you stay that way. 🙂
Go Raphael!
Thanks for posting this Miggy. Raphael is adorable. I have shared his story on my blog and will continue to spread the word.
Thanks Dawn for sharing his story as well! I appreciate it.
Thank you SO much Dawn!
you have such a good-sized, solid audience, I am sure Raphael will get lots of help and love!
I look at the Reece's Rainbow site sometimes. my little guy has sure enhanced my perspective of special needs kids and families, and I like to hope that someday my resources will be such that I can expand my family through waiting child adoption.
April. A-men. I too think a lot about adoption these days…which is one reason I was so excited to do this spotlight. Thanks for your continued support. Give my love to your family and especially little Uly.
I've been thinking about these kids all day. I've been checking out reece's rainbow and reading about the other kids and families trying to get them home. What awesome parents that adopt these kids! every year for Christmas my work donates to a cause, I'm hoping this year we can take some time and reas about the kids and everyone can donate towards these kids adoption. I saw that Reagan posted about this to today, I'm so excited about all the help these kids can get from Molly's efforts!
I've been reading through so many of these profiles as well… so many children in need of good homes. It feels small what we're doing here, but just like with donations every little bit helps. Thank you.
Thank you Sam!! That would be awesome.
I'm a Prayer Warrior for Colt (http://reecesrainbow.org/?s=colt), who is also facing transfer soon. I'd love it if maybe in the future you might consider talking about him. 🙂
Crystal,
Sure thing email me at thislittlemiggy at gmail dot com.
I left a donation – not much but a little. Prayers being sent that he finds a forever family!
Thank you so much Donna! Every little bit counts!
Thank you Donna!!! Trust me, it all adds up!
We love RR and hope to adopt through them in he next few years! Thanks for highlighting Raphael!!
woohoo! Thanks Rachel!
We just got home with our son who we found on Reece's rainbow. We have been home 5 weeks and it is awesome! Our son had a 20k grant thanks to fudnraising efforts of people like Molly. Knowing that your child is alone in an orphanage is hard enough, not having to worry about how you will get to that child eases the hurt and the wait some. Thank you for calling attention to Raphael today!
yep, just contributed … I read via Kelle's blog and was directed here. Thank you so much and praying this beautiful boy is safely in the arms of his forever family soon!
oh migs! this is so sweet! what a wonderful thing to be a part of! thank you for sharing!!